wetlands

Humans are consuming the Earth’s resources quickly, oblivious to the consequences that may come. Wetlands are essential resources for the environment. Wetlands provide homes for many animals especially for birds and fishes; it also provides benefits for humans such as flood prevention, protection from erosion, and provides food. Four hundred years ago around 220 million acres of wetland existed across the 48 states in America by the year 1993, 110 million acres remain 50 percent of wetlands have been destroyed due to various reasons some include drainage for dams, sewer systems, construction sites, and mining. The continuation of Urban renewal to wetlands endangers the future of the world’s environment. The first factory was built in 1790 by Samuel Slater, he opened a factory that created yarn, starting the American industrial revolution, a big step for mankind. This revolution unfortunately triggers a red flag for the environment, also the initiation of wetland destruction. The industries were beginning to build quickly and the cities were expanding expediently. This industry revolution greatly increased the economy growth in America’s society making many people rich. This revolution caused problems for the society, were more space was needed for the construction of more buildings. Due to Wetlands’ lack of finical potential, people did not think twice about destroying wetlands. This starts wetland drainage which is removal of water. Drainage has several different procedures which are field smoothing, the construction of open ditches, and the use of bedding or ridge-till farming systems. These dry ditches become harmful over time according to studies from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences “As long as wetlands remain wet, only methane is given off, However, for more than a hundred years land has been drained for agriculture and forestry, producing large quantities both carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide" (Garvey 3). Nitrous oxide a very harmful